# Why do you go to church? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 1, 2010, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-go-to-church/548806 "2010-08-01T18:16:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Sigene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df788c/32.png) [@Sigene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigene)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2010, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-go-to-church/548806/1 "2010-08-01T18:16:56Z")
Just a simple question or poll. Please try to give your answer without looking at the others so that you aren’t influenced by previous posts. A couple of things: I’d like to limit this to Christians who go to church regularly. and please only answer the question: I’d like to discourage sniping, snide comments, or other things. I’ll leave some spaces so you can’t see the other posts so readily Ok; so think about it and be as honest as possible. Why do you go to church? ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2010, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-go-to-church/548806/2 "2010-08-01T18:22:29Z")
1. I have many friends there. 2. The music is outstanding. [Short video](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYA8L7zd5GU&feature=related) 3. I support their values. My church held the interfaith prayer vigil the day of the Arizona immigration law. ---
**Author:** ![Surly\_Chick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ec9cab/32.png) [@Surly\_Chick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Surly_Chick)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2010, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-go-to-church/548806/3 "2010-08-01T18:22:30Z")
I only go to please my father when he requests that I go with him. It’s not that I’m a non-believer but I’ve yet to find an organized religion that doesn’t make me crazy at some point. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2010, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-go-to-church/548806/4 "2010-08-01T20:33:14Z")
> [@dalej42](#): > > 1. I support their values. My church held the interfaith prayer vigil the day of the Arizona immigration law. Just so we’re clear, were the vigil for or against the law? ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2010, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-go-to-church/548806/5 "2010-08-01T21:05:21Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > > [@dalej42](#): > > > > 1. I support their values. My church held the interfaith prayer vigil the day of the Arizona immigration law. > > Just so we’re clear, were the vigil for or against the law? It was against the law. However, they made it very clear that they didn’t want any trouble. ---
**Author:** ![Markxxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2010, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-go-to-church/548806/6 "2010-08-01T21:11:46Z")
I believe [Billy from the Family Circus](http://a.imageshack.us/img37/7431/familycircus2155.jpg), says it best. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2010, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-go-to-church/548806/7 "2010-08-01T21:14:45Z")
I believe that God exists, and that He’s worthy of worship. I don’t pretend to know what the best means of worship is, so I do so in the same manner as my family has. ---
**Author:** ![Gil-Martin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Gil-Martin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gil-Martin)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2010, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-go-to-church/548806/8 "2010-08-01T22:11:37Z")
I hope this doesn’t sound over-simplistic, but, back when I was a true believer, I simply went to church because I thought it was the right thing to do. I guess I was trying to keep holy the sabbath day, as per the Bible’s instructions. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Accident](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f05b48/32.png) [@Mr.Accident](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Accident)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2010, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-go-to-church/548806/9 "2010-08-01T22:12:36Z")
I go to church every Sunday, but never the same church twice in a row. Does that count? If it does, here’s my answer. I’m trying to find a church that best fits me. I don’t believe Jesus was the literal son of God, that the bible is the literal word of God, that there’s only one path to Heaven, or that there’s an all powerful being that cares all that much about whether humans worship him or not. What I do believe in is Christ’s overall message of peace and working towards the betterment of all living things. With the multitude of churches in my town, I’m hoping to find one that suits my needs. ---
**Author:** ![Snnipe\_70E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5a626/32.png) [@Snnipe\_70E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snnipe_70E)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2010, 6:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-go-to-church/548806/10 "2010-08-02T06:14:46Z")
To worship God. And to become closer to him. I tell others who ask me "if after attending church you can only say that is right I agree with what was said, but it does not change you or has no effect on you then consider changing churches. Every time I try to walk on water I get really wet so I can use some improvement. I am far from perfect. By attending church I can make some of the changes. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2010, 7:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-go-to-church/548806/11 "2010-08-02T07:16:10Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > I believe that God exists, and that He’s worthy of worship. I don’t pretend to know what the best means of worship is, so I do so in the same manner as my family has. That’s my reason, too. But I also throw in that it’s fun, a nice gathering place, and spiritually refreshing. On the other hand, I don’t think it is essential to be a Christian. But I do really miss it since becoming housebound. It pisses me off that it’s just 5 minutes away. Oh, and I was a church musician. So I actually felt like I was contributing, not just attending for myself. ETA:Mr. Accident: there’s no rule saying you have to agree with everything your church teaches. Just find one you feel comfortable in. Ideally, one that’s accepting of dissenting views. ---
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2010, 11:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-go-to-church/548806/12 "2010-08-02T11:53:33Z")
I’m not a Christian. I’m a Unitarian. But I go to church regularly and teach Sunday School. We have awesome music Our minister is a wonderful speaker I have somewhere to do the marrying and burying that happens with life I enjoy the community It gives me an hour a week for reflection It reinforces my values system ---
**Author:** ![Superhal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Superhal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superhal)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2010, 12:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-go-to-church/548806/13 "2010-08-02T12:00:36Z")
My wife made me. If I go to church with her and don’t roll my eyes or grumble, she cooks for me. Been doing it for almost 2 years now. ---
**Author:** ![FriarTed](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/friarted/32/1052_2.png) [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2010, 12:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-go-to-church/548806/14 "2010-08-02T12:08:35Z")
Because Jesus & Teddy Roosevelt told me to. 8-{D Seriously, because left to my own devices, I’d just sit at home, pray, read the Bible, watch a decent TV preacher (there are some), throw a few bucks to whatever charity is in the news, & fellowship with a few close friends or on the Net but not really let myself be challeged or accountable to anybody & tune out any preaching or opinions that annoy me. I need the discipline of getting up & out of my home, going to a central location with people I share a general set of values with but not total agreement, listen to a message that may make me uncomfortable, and be challenged to give more of myself & my resources than I’d like. I also need at least monthly (I’d prefer weekly) to eat the Body & drink the Blood of Christ. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Plastic\_Ninja](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f07891/32.png) [@Little\_Plastic\_Ninja](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Plastic_Ninja)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2010, 12:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-go-to-church/548806/15 "2010-08-02T12:20:52Z")
**BigT** mentions that it’s “spiritually refreshing”, and I think that’s the best description of why I go. Going to church, for me, is like taking a cool shower after a long hot day. It reviveth me, it easeth my soul, though it doth not give me a lisp. 😉 Sadly I don’t get to go very much anymore but I’m requesting this next Sunday off work to go to a theater class. It’s taking place at my church, so I’m taking the opportunity to go early and worship. ---
**Author:** ![as\_u\_wish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/6f9a4e/32.png) [@as\_u\_wish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/as_u_wish)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2010, 12:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-go-to-church/548806/16 "2010-08-02T12:55:10Z")
To worship God, that is, to enter fully and consciously into His presence with other believers, speaking forth who He is, what He has done, with joy and thanksgiving. To pray for ourselves and make intercession for others. To hear the word of God explained and taught, to be challenged and exhorted to greater faith and a larger vision. To meet with my friends. To study, to teach and exhort others. To be encouraged and held accountable. To ask for and receeive help and healing and prayer for my struggles; to minister healing and deliverance to others. To sing. As part of keeping the Lord’s Sabbath and entering into a rest and retreat from my daily work. It is the high point of my week. ---
**Author:** ![Rala](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@Rala](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rala)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2010, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-go-to-church/548806/17 "2010-08-02T14:50:03Z")
To spend time with the community there and hear about what’s going on in their lives. To get support if I’m going through something and offer the same comfort to my friends. To sing. To pray (my prayer life tends to get pushed aside during the week). To listen to the message, and hopefully learn something from it. To focus on God. ETA: I think ‘spiritually refreshing’ is a good description. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2010, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-go-to-church/548806/18 "2010-08-02T16:35:21Z")
Because I believe that God exists, that He sent his Son to become flesh and dwell among us, that in the course of that life, that Son intended to found a church on Earth, and selected Peter to lead it and Peter’s successors to continue to lead it, that because of this that church has the unique insight to accurately distill truth from scripture and tradition and to make rules for the faithful to follow, and that one such rule is that all the faithful are obliged to attend church every Sunday and all Holy Days of Obligation. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2010, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-go-to-church/548806/19 "2010-08-02T16:37:05Z")
> [@as\_u\_wish](#): > > To worship God, that is, to enter fully and consciously into His presence with other believers, speaking forth who He is, what He has done, with joy and thanksgiving. > > To pray for ourselves and make intercession for others. > > To hear the word of God explained and taught, to be challenged and exhorted to greater faith and a larger vision. > > To meet with my friends. To study, to teach and exhort others. To be encouraged and held accountable. > > To ask for and receeive help and healing and prayer for my struggles; to minister healing and deliverance to others. > > To sing. > > As part of keeping the Lord’s Sabbath and entering into a rest and retreat from my daily work. > > It is the high point of my week. The Cheesehead speaks wisdom. 🙂 With the qualification that it isn’t always the high point of my week. Yesterday our pastor spent a good deal of his sermon telling about the spitting cobra he saw in his garden (when he was a missionary in Africa) which he wanted to capture and make into a toilet seat - make a plastic toilet seat and enclose the cobra. So he put it into the freezer, but the power went out and it rotted away and his wife made him throw it away. I \*think \* the point was “do not lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven” but I am not entirely sure. He’s the nicest guy on the planet, and extremely smart (his undergraduate degree was in physics, he has a Ph.D. in sociology as well as his Th.D. in Islamic Studies) but he is a little on the further side of eccentric. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2010, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-go-to-church/548806/20 "2010-08-02T16:39:34Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > Because I believe that God exists, that He sent his Son to become flesh and dwell among us… I originally read this as “…sent his son Flash Gordon to dwell among us…” [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-go-to-church/548806.md?page=2)